RFID Digital Print/Encode

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for printing and encoding RFID products may be disclosed. The method, system, and apparatus can include a printer which can read and program an RFID device contained in a label, tag, or any other desired product, and also print onto the product without damaging the RFID device. The method, system, and apparatus can further include a quality control system. In some exemplary embodiments, the products can be arranged into sheets or rolls, and multiple products can be printed or encoded at the same time or substantially simultaneously. In some exemplary embodiments, reader and antenna configurations can allow the encoding to occur in line, so that printing, encoding, variable data imaging, and finishing can all be completed in one continuous process.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 568,867 filed Dec. 9, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Current Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and labels are produced through the construction of an inlay which includes a chip connected to an antenna applied to a substrate. The inlay is then inserted into a single tag or label, or more particularly the tag or label stock that is used to make up the finished RFID device. These labels or tags are then printed by either conventional printing processes, such as flexographic processes, and then variable information may be printed either with the static information or singularly. The chips are then encoded in a printer which has a reader / encoding device or separately by a reader / encoding device. This method is slow and costly due to multiple steps that are involved in the manufactur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]The present invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for printing and encoding RFID tags and labels which may then be associated with consumer products or other items which a manufacturer or retailer intends to track and or process for sale. The method, system, and apparatus can include at least one printer which can simultaneously, or substantially simultaneously read and program an RFID device contained in a label, tag, or any other desired product, such as a care label affixed to the interior of the garment, and also print onto the product or the label or tag for the product without damaging the RFID device. The method, system, and apparatus can further include a quality control system to make sure the printed information matches to the information that is encoded on to the RFID chip. In some exemplary embodiments, the products can be arranged into sheets or rolls that are provided in a continuous or sheet wise manner, and multiple products can be printed or encoded at the same time or substantially simultaneously. In some exemplary embodiments, reader and antenna configurations can allow the encoding to occur in line, so that printing, encoding, variable data imaging, and finishing can all be completed in one continuous process.

Problems solved by technology

This method is slow and costly due to multiple steps that are involved in the manufacture of the product.

In addition, such a method can only be accomplished typically one tag or label at a time per lane of manufacturing capability.

The can result in higher cost, limited output, and limited product variation in terms of size, color, and complexity.

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